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    The first name Vernon

    A boy’s name meaning “alder”, “place of alder trees”.

    Pronounced /ˈvɝnən/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Vernon means “alder”, “place of alder trees”.

    From Transalpine Gaulish uerna (“alder”) (from Proto-Celtic *wernā, from Proto-Indo-European *wern-) + -o, -onis (locative suffix, literally “place of alder trees”).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Vernon last appeared in the official list in 2024, given to 3 boys. It peaked in 2004, with 10 births (#1,596).

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    102
    babies named Vernon, 1996–2025
    #5,119
    rank in 2024
    2004
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Vernon with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Vernon at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 133 boys born in the United States were named Vernon, the 1,387th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1920, when 3,144 were.

    02,0004,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    148,389
    babies named Vernon since 1880
    #1,387
    rank in 2025
    1920
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Vernon

    Famous people named Vernon

    50 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Vernon L. Smith
      American economist, born 1927
    • John Vernon
      Canadian actor (1932–2005)
    • Vernon Norwood
      American sprinter, born 1992
    • Vernon Duke
      American composer (1903-1969)
    • Vernon Reid
      American fusion and crossover guitarist (born 1958)
    • Vernon Wells
      Australian actor, born 1945
    • Vernon Dobtcheff
      British actor, born 1934
    • Vernon Forrest
      American boxer (1971–2009)
    • Vernon Maxwell
      American basketball player, shooting guard, born 1965
    • George Vernon Hudson
      English-born New Zealand entomologist and astronomer (1867–1946)
    • Vernon Sturdee
      Former Australian Chief of the General Staff, 1890–1966
    • Vernon Carey Jr.
      American basketball player (born 2001)

    Questions

    What does the name Vernon mean?
    Vernon means “alder”, “place of alder trees”.
    How popular is the name Vernon?
    In 2024, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Vernon, ranking 5,119th. Its peak was 2004, with 10 births.
    What are nicknames for Vernon?
    Common nicknames for Vernon include Vernie, Vern.
    Is Vernon a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 148,389 US babies named Vernon since 1880 were boys.
    When was Vernon most popular?
    1920 in the United States, when 3,144 babies were named Vernon, its highest rank at 65th.
    How do you pronounce Vernon?
    Vernon is /ˈvɝnən/, 2 syllables.
    Is Vernon also a surname?
    Yes. Vernon is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.